MBA graduates command a growing salary edge over engineers, Deloitte reports

Deloitte India's Campus Workforce Trends 2026 analysis of 505 leading institutions reveals that MBA graduates are securing markedly higher compensation than their engineering peers, with a 52% salary premium for the 2026 class and an anticipated 59% premium for the 2027 cohort. The report highlights that the top ten B-schools command average annual salaries of Rs 27.4 lakh, dwarfing the Rs 8.4 lakh average at tier-3 business schools, while B.Tech graduates see Rs 18.7 lakh versus Rs 5.75 lakh respectively.

Recruiters across 250 surveyed firms are placing greater emphasis on talent that can translate technology into business outcomes, favoring digital, analytical and strategic capabilities. AI adoption is influencing hiring practices, with 35% of organisations reporting new AI-related roles and 86% noting AI’s impact on recruitment processes. The study also notes increased campus hiring budgets, expanded internship-to-hire pathways, and a decline in attrition among hires from top institutes.